Near field communications (nfc) coil with embedded wireless antenna

ABSTRACT

Described herein are techniques related to near field coupling and WLAN dual-band operations. For example, a WLAN dual-band utilizes the same coil antenna that is utilized for near field communications (NFC) functions. The WLAN dual-band may be integrated into an NFC module to form a single module.

BACKGROUND

Technologies have arisen that allow near field coupling (such aswireless power transfers (WPT) and near field communications (NFC))between devices (e.g., portable electronic devices, tablet computers,etc.) in close proximity to each other. NFC may use radio frequency (RF)antennas in the devices to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals.Because of user desires (and/or for esthetic reasons) many of thesedevices are small, and are becoming smaller. Such devices tend to haveexaggerated aspect ratios when viewed from the side. As a result, manyof these devices incorporate flat antennas, which may use coils ofconductive material as radiating antennas for use in near fieldcoupling.

Wireless (radio) communications may require a separate embedded antennacomponent for wireless local area networks (WLAN), wireless wide-areanetwork (WWAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), long term evolution(LTE), global positioning system (GPS), and the like. NFC and thewireless communications (e.g., WLAN, WWAN, etc.) components (e.g.,antenna) of the devices may require significant space in the device. Inother words, the NFC and the wireless communications devices may becompeting for a very limited space for antennas on the device. Thelimited space becomes more a challenging from a design perspective, asthe device gets thinner and packaging embedded antennas into the devicemay compromise the performance of the NFC and other wirelesscommunications. Accordingly, a solution may be implemented to provideefficient performance of NFC and the other wireless communications inthe device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an example near field coupling arrangement betweendevices to perform near field communications (NFC) related functions.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example wireless communications arrangementbetween devices that includes wireless local area network (WLAN)dual-band operation.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example device for wireless local area network(WLAN) dual-band and near field communications using the same coilantenna.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example coil antenna configuration thatincludes passive devices.

FIG. 4 is a method for wireless local area network (WLAN) dual-band andnear field communications using the same coil antenna.

The following Detailed Description is provided with reference to theaccompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of areference number usually identifies the figure in which the referencenumber first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in differentfigures indicates similar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This document discloses one or more systems, apparatuses, methods, etc.for coupling antennas of devices and more particularly for utilizing thesame coil antenna of devices as embedded antenna for wirelesscommunications and near field coupling capabilities of the devices. Nearfield coupling includes (by way of illustration and not limitation) nearfield communications (NFC) and/or wireless power transfer (WPT)capabilities of the devices. Wireless communications include (by way ofillustration and not limitation) WLAN, MAN, WWAN, LTE, GPS, other formof WiFi and radio communications, and the like. For example, the WLANmay utilize a coil antenna that is used for NFC related functions. Inthis example, a WLAN (dual-band) module may be integrated with a NFCmodule to form a single module. The single module may be connected tothe coil antenna that receives, transmits, or carries electrical signalsfor both WLAN dual-band operations and NFC operations. In animplementation, the WLAN dual-band operations may operate at relativelyhigh frequency electrical signals, such as 2.4 GHz or 5.2 GHz frequencyelectrical signals under IEEE 802.11n standards. The NFC operations maybe configured to operate at a low frequency electrical signal, such as13.56 MHz frequency electrical signal to perform NFC related functions.In this implementation, the coil antenna may be configured toindependently resonate at 13.56 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.2 GHz frequencyelectrical signals.

In an implementation, the coil antenna is configured to include an openended center-fed dipole antenna section that resonates at 5.2 GHz, whichis one of the frequencies used for the WLAN dual-band operations.Because the WLAN dual-band may further operate at 2.4 GHz, the coilantenna may be configured to resonate at 2.4 GHz by isolating segmentsof a continuous loop of coil antenna that is used for NFC relatedfunctions. In other words, reuse of partial traces of the NFC coilantenna is created during the 2.4 GHz frequency of operation by the WLANdual-band.

In an implementation, the isolated segments of the NFC coil antenna maybe utilized in combination with the center-fed dipole antenna section(i.e., used for 5.2 GHz frequency of operation) to resonate at 2.4 GHzfrequency of operation by the WLAN dual-band. For NFC related functions,the coil antenna may use the NFC coil antenna (i.e., continuous loop ofcoil antenna) without the need for isolating the segments (i.e., partialtraces). In other implementations, such as in the WWAN, LTE, digitaltelevision (DTV), GPS, etc. operations, the coil antenna may beconfigured to operate at the frequency electrical signals thatcorrespond to the WWAN, LTE, DTV, GPS, etc. required frequency ofoperations.

In an implementation, passive devices or components (e.g., inductors)may be installed to isolate electrical signals of the WLAN dual-bandoperation from the NFC operations. In other implementations, a softwareimplementation may use active devices (e.g., switches) to separate theWLAN dual-band electrical signal from the NFC electrical signal.

Example System

FIG. 1A illustrates an example arrangement of devices for near fieldcoupling. More particularly, users may have a desire to operate nearfield coupling enabled devices and/or other devices in certainergonomically convenient manners. Examples of such devices include (butare not limited to) mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smartphone, apersonal digital assistant, a tablet computer, a netbook, a notebookcomputer, a laptop computer, a multimedia playback device, a digitalmusic player, a digital video player, a navigational device, a digitalcamera, and the like.

In an implementation, FIG. 1A shows a so-called “NFC bump” where twousers (not shown) may “bump” their NFC-enabled devices 102-2 and 102-4together in an edge-to-edge or head-to-head manner to performNFC-related functions (e.g., information sharing). FIG. 1A shows anoften desired side-by-side arrangement of the devices 102 for NFCrelated functions. The devices 102-2 and 102-4 may include a close endedcontinuous loop coil antenna (not shown) to perform the NFC relatedfunctions. The NFC related functions may include data communicationsbetween the devices 102. For example, the device 102-2 may transferinformation to the device 102-4 through near filed coupling operations.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example arrangement for wireless communicationsbetween the device 102-2 and the device 102-4. The wirelesscommunications may include the WLAN, MAN, WWAN, LTE, GPS, other WiFiform of communications, and the like. For example, the devices 102-2 and102-4 may communicate with one another through adoption of the WLAN intheir circuitry. In this example, the devices 102 may include a WLANdual-band circuit (not shown) that utilizes the same continuous loopcoil antenna to perform WLAN dual-band operation. The utilization of thecontinuous loop coil antenna (not shown) may be implemented independentof the use of the coil antenna for NFC related functions. The WLANdual-band operation may operate at a different frequency electricalsignal as compared to NFC frequency electrical signal.

In an implementation, the devices 102-2 and 102-4 may include a wirelesscommunications circuit (not shown) that includes the coil antenna. (notshown) for carrying, transmitting, and/or receiving frequency electricalsignals. The wireless communication circuit (not shown) may beconfigured to operate in accordance with one or more wireless standards.For example, the wireless communication circuit (not shown) may beconfigured to wirelessly transfer information between the device 102-2and the device 102-4 via a wireless communication link 104 (through atower 106) that is established in accordance with at least one of a 3Gor 4G, or future, digital wireless communication standard. Such a 3G or4G (or future) digital wireless communication standard may include oneor more of a WiMax communication standard (e.g., in accordance with theIEEE 802.16 family of standards such as IEEE 802.16-2009), aThird-Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) LTE communication standard,or one or more other standards or protocols (current and future). In anembodiment, the wireless communication circuit may be configured towireless transfer information in accordance of a Wi-Fi WLAN standard,such as one or more of the IEEE 802.11 family of standards (e.g., IEEE.802.11a-1999, 802.11 b-1999, 802.1.1g-2003, 802.1.1n-2009, 802.11-2007),or one or more other standards or protocols (current and future).

Example Device

FIG. 2 is an example embodiment of the device 102-2 that utilizes thesame coil antenna for NFC and WLAN dual-band operations. In animplementation, the wireless device 102-2 may include a NFC/WLAN coilantenna 200, a WLAN dual-band module and NFC module combo 202, and awireless communications circuit 204.

In an implementation, the NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200 may be located atone edge (e.g., top edge 206) or any other edge of the device 102 Inthis implementation, the NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200 may function as atransceiver at WLAN frequency electrical signals and NFC frequencyelectrical signals. The NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200 may be configured toinclude a separate open ended center-fed dipole antenna configuration(not shown) to perform WLAN dual-band operation at 5.2 GHz frequencyelectrical signal. For 2.4 GHz frequency electrical signal, the NFC/WLANcoil antenna 200 may be configured to include reuse of partial traces(not shown) of the NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200 that is used for NFCrelated functions. For example, the NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200 mayinclude the continuous loop coil antenna (not shown) for NFC relatedfunctions, such as reading NFC tags, credit cards, or transfer ofinformation using the “NFC bump” between two NFC enabled devices.

In an implementation, the WLAN dual-band module and NFC module combo 202may be configured to process the received, transmitted, and/or carriedelectrical signal from the NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200. The WLAN dual-bandmodule and NFC module combo 202 is a single module that includes a WLANdual-band module (not shown) and a NFC module (not shown). The WLANdual-band module (not shown) processes the WLAN dual-band electricalsignals, such as the 2.4 GHz/5.2 GHz frequency electrical signals, whilethe NFC module (not shown) processes the NFC electrical signal, such asthe 13.56 MHz frequency electrical signal. The WLAN dual-band module andNFC module combo 202 may be coupled to a wireless communications circuit204. In an implementation, the wireless communications circuit 204 maybe configured to adjust communication parameters at the device 102-2,such as a transmit power, amplification, mode of operation, etc.Furthermore, the device 102-2 includes one or more processor(s) 208.Process 208 may be a single processing unit or a number of processingunits, all of which may include single or multiple computing units ormultiple cores. The processor 208 may be implemented as one or moremicroprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signalprocessors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries,and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operationalinstructions. Among other capabilities, the processor 208 may beconfigured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions orprocessor-accessible instructions stored in a memory 210 or othercomputer-readable storage media.

In certain implementations, the memory component 210 is an example ofcomputer-readable storage media for storing instructions, which areexecuted by the processor(s) 208 to perform the various functionsdescribed above. For example, memory 210 may generally include bothvolatile memory and non-volatile memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, or the like).Memory 210 may be referred to as memory or computer-readable storagemedia herein. Memory 210 is capable of storing computer-readable,processor-executable program instructions as computer program code thatmay be executed by the processor(s) 208 as a particular machineconfigured for carrying out the operations and functions described inthe implementations herein.

The example wireless device 102-2 described herein is merely an examplethat is suitable for sonic implementations and is not intended tosuggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of theenvironments, architectures and frameworks that may implement theprocesses, components and features described herein.

Generally, any of the functions described with reference to the figurescan be implemented using software, hardware (e.g., fixed logiccircuitry) or a combination of these implementations. Program code maybe stored in one or more computer-readable memory devices or othercomputer-readable storage devices. Thus, the processes and componentsdescribed herein may be implemented by a computer program product. Asmentioned above, computer storage media includes volatile andnon-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information, such as computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM,EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium that can be used to store information for access bya computing device.

Example NFC/WLAN Coil Antenna with Passive Devices

FIG. 3 is an example implementation 300 of NFC/WLAN coil antenna withpassive devices. The emerging technologies related to near fieldcoupling enable many appealing experiences for users of the device 102.For example, integrating a flexible printed circuit (FPC), whichincorporates the NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200, into a device 102 mayminimize the increase in the thickness of the device 102.

With continuing reference to FIG. 3 (a), the drawing illustrates a WLANdual-band module 302 and a NFC module 304 that may be integrated to forma single module (i.e., WLAN dual-band module and NFC module combo 202).In an implementation, the WLAN dual-band module 302 may be configured toutilize the NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200 to carry, transmit, and/or receivethe WLAN dual-band electrical signal. At the same time, the NFC module304 may be configured to independently utilize the NFC/WLAN coil antenna200 to carry, transmit, and/or receive the NFC electrical signal. Theindependent utilization of the NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200 by the NFCmodule 304 for NFC related functions may be implemented throughinstallation of passive devices in the NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200.

In an implementation, the WLAN dual-band module 302 may be configured tooperate at high frequency electrical signals, such as 2.4 GHz or 5.2 GHzelectrical signals under IEEE 802.11n standard for WLAN dual-bandoperations. In other implementations, WLAN dual-band module 302 may beconfigured to operate at other frequency electrical signals that maycorrespond to its required function or operation. For example, in caseof WWAN, LTE, DTV, GPS, etc. operations, the WLAN dual-band module 302may be configured to operate on the frequencies that are used foroperating the WWAN, LTE, DTV, GPS, etc. In this example, the WLANdual-hand module 302 may utilize (i.e., reuse) the same NFC/WLAN coilantenna 200 with the NFC module 304.

In an implementation, the NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200 may be configured toinclude a separate center-fed driven element 306 that may contain twometal coil conductors 306-2 and 306-4, which are oriented in paralleland collinear with each other. In other words, the two metal coilconductors 306-2 and 306-4 are in line with each other, such as in adipole antenna configuration. In this implementation, the WLAN dual-bandmodule 302 may use the center-driven element 306 to operate at 5.2 GHzfrequency electrical signal. For example, the WLAN dual-band module 302is connected through a link 308 to the NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200 that isconfigured to operate the center-driven element 306 for 5.2 GHzelectrical signal only. In this example, the utilization of the NFC/WLANcoil antenna 200 for other NFC related functions or for the 2.4 GHzfrequency electrical signal may co-exist at the same time. In animplementation, FIG. 3 (b) illustrates the NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200configuration when operated at 5.2 GHz frequency electrical signal bythe WLAN dual-band module 302. In this implementation, the center-feddriven element 306 is configured to resonate at 5.2 GHz frequencyelectrical signal to carry, transmit, and/or receive WLAN frequencyelectrical signals.

In an implementation, passive devices, such as inductors 310 may beinstalled at the NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200 in order to operate differentfrequency electrical signals at the same time. For example, inductors310-2, 310-4 and 310-6 may be used to implement utilization of theNFC/WLAN coil antenna 200 at different frequency electrical signals,such as the 2.4 GHz, and 13.56 MHz frequency electrical signals. In thisexample, the inductor 310-6 is installed at a WLAN feed point of thelink 316 to a rectangular loop coil antenna 312, while the inductors310-2 and 310-4 are respectively installed at both ends of outer loopsegments 314-2 and 314-4 of the rectangular loop coil antenna 312. Theends of the outer loop segments 314-2 and 314-4 are located opposite tothe WLAN feed point of the link 316.

In an implementation, the inductors 310-2, 310-4 and 310-6 may beconfigured to include high impedance (i.e., high attenuation) at 2.4 GHzfrequency electrical signal. In this implementation, the inductors310-2, 310-4 and 310-6 may almost act as an open circuit. To this end,portions of the rectangular coil antenna segment 312 are isolated, suchas the outer loop segments 314-2 and 314-4. In an implementation, thecenter-fed driven element 306 is combined with the segments 314-2 and314-4 to resonate at 2.4 GHz frequency electrical signal of the WLANdual-band module 302. FIG. 3 (c) illustrates the NFC/WLAN coil antenna200 configuration that includes the combined center-fed driven element306 and segments 314 during 2.4 GHz frequency electrical signal WLANdual-band operation. The length of the segments 314 may be dynamicallyadjusted to resonate at the 2.4 GHz frequency electrical signal AVIANdual-band operation.

With continuing reference to FIG. 3 (a), the inductors 310-2, 310-4 and310-6 may be configured to include low impedance (i.e., low attenuation)at NFC frequency of operation, such as 13.56 MHz frequency electricalsignal. For example, the inductors 310-2, 310-4 and 310-6 may act as ashort circuit so that the rectangular coil antenna segment 312 may beutilized for NFC related functions. In this example, the rectangularcoil antenna segment 312 is connected to the NFC module 304 through alink 316. The NFC module 304 may be configured to resonate at 13.56frequency electrical signals, such that only NFC related operations at13.56 frequency electrical signal is processed by the NFC module 304.The center-fed driven element 306 of the NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200 isconfigured to resonate at 2.4 GHz or 5.16 GHz and as such, thecenter-fed driven element 306 may be operated independently of therectangular coil antenna segment 312 during the NFC related operations.In an implementation, FIG. 3 (c) illustrates the NFC/WLAN coil antenna200 configuration during NFC related operations at 13.56 frequencyelectrical signal. In this implementation, the rectangular coil antennasegment 312 is utilized to perform the NFC related operations and isindependent from the WLAN dual-band operations.

In an implementation, a balun component 316 may be inserted at the WLANfeed at the end of links 308 and 316. The balun component 316 mayprovide a balanced feed in order to minimize return currents on outerconductor of coaxial cables that may be used in the links 308 and 316.For example, the balun component 316 is used to convert unbalancedcoaxial feed to a balanced feed for the center-fed driven element 306.In devices 102, the balun component 316 is not always used, in whichcase, the coaxial cables used at the links 308 and 316 may also act as aradiating element and the final antenna radiation pattern is determinedby the actual cable route in a chassis of the device 102. Similarly, thebalun component 316 may be inserted at NFC feed at the end of link 316that may use coaxial cables as described above.

In other implementations, active devices such as switches (not shown)may be configured to replace the passive devices, such as the inductors310-2, 310-4 and 310-6. For example, during WLAN dual-band operation,the switches (not shown) that are installed in lieu of the inductors310-2, 310-4 and 310-6 may be configured to include an open circuit. Inanother example, during NFC operation, the switches (not shown) that areinstalled in lieu of the inductors 310-2, 310-4 and 310-6 may beconfigured to include a short circuit. The active switches (not shown)may be configured to be controlled by a software mechanism, and may bedynamically controlled based on usage at the device 102. For example, ifthe center-fed driven element 306 is not used (e.g., used for 3Gtransmission), then the NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200 may be dedicatedprimarily for NFC related functions. As compared to the use of passivedevices (i.e., inductors 310-2, 310-4 and 310-6), the active devices(e.g., switches) may be configured to switch back and forth in a timedomain between performing the WLAN dual-band operation at a certaintime, and performing the NFC related functions at another time.

Example Process

FIG. 4 illustrates an example process chart 400 illustrating an examplemethod for concurrent WLAN dual-band and near field communicationsoperations using the same coil antenna. The order in which the method isdescribed is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and anynumber of the described method blocks can be combined in any order toimplement the method, or alternate method. Additionally, individualblocks may be deleted from the method without departing from the spiritand scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, themethod may be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware,or a combination thereof, without departing from the scope of theinvention. For example, a computer accessible medium may implement WLANdual-band operations and NFC operations by utilizing the same coilantenna.

At block 402, carrying, transmitting, or receiving a frequencyelectrical signal by a coil antenna is performed. In an implementation,the coil antenna (e.g., NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200) may include arectangular multiple loop coil antenna. In this implementation, theNFC/WLAN coil antenna 200 may receive, early, or transmit the frequencyelectrical signal that includes a WLAN dual-band frequency electricalsignal and a NFC frequency electrical signal. For example, the WLANdual-band frequency electrical signal may include a high frequencyelectrical signal (e.g., 2.4 GHz or 5.2 GHz) to implement WLAN dual-bandoperations. On the other hand, the NFC electrical signal may include alow frequency electrical signal (e.g., 13.56 MHz) to implement NFCrelated functions.

At block 404, isolating the WLAN dual-band frequency electrical signalfrom the NFC frequency electrical signal. Since the NFC electricalsignal includes a different frequency of operation (i.e., 13.56 MHz)from the WLAN dual-band frequency electrical signal (i.e., 2.4 GHz/5.2GHz), passive devices (e.g., inductors 310) may be used to separate theWLAN dual-band frequency electrical signal from the NFC frequencyelectrical signal. For example, the installation of the passive devices(i.e., inductors 310) may provide high attenuation (i.e., highimpedance) at high frequency electrical signals (i.e., 2.4 GHz/5.2 GHz)such that, partial reuse (i.e., segments 314) of the NFC/WLAN coilantenna 200 may allow the WLAN dual-band operations.

In an implementation, a separate center-fed driven element (e.g.,center-fed driven element 306) of the NFC/WLAN coil antenna 200 may beconfigured to resonate at 5.2 GHz frequency electrical signal.Furthermore, the center-fed driven element 306 in combinations with thesegments 314 may be configured to resonate at 2.4 GHz frequencyelectrical signal. In another example, the installation of the passivedevices (i.e., inductors 310) may provide low attenuation at 13.56 MHzfrequency electrical signal during NFC related functions. In otherwords, the inductors 310 may act as low pass filter to 13.56 MHzfrequency electrical signal so that NFC module (e.g., NFC module 304)may process the 13.56 frequency electrical signals independent of the2.4 GHz/5.2 GHz frequency electrical signals for the WLAN dual-bandoperations. In other implementations, installation of active switches inlieu of the inductors 310 may be configured (e.g., by a softwareapplication) to isolate the WLAN dual-band frequency electrical signalfrom the NFC frequency electrical signal.

At block 406, performing NFC related function using the NFC frequencyelectrical signal is performed.

At block 408, performing WLAN dual-band function using the WLANdual-band frequency electrical signal is performed.

Realizations in accordance with the present invention have beendescribed in the context of particular embodiments. These embodimentsare meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations,modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Accordingly,plural instances may be provided for components described herein as asingle instance. Boundaries between various components, operations anddata stores are somewhat arbitrary; and particular operations areillustrated in the context of specific illustrative configurations.Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall withinthe scope of claims that follow. Finally, structures and functionalitypresented as discrete components in the various configurations may beimplemented as a combined structure or component. These and othervariations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall withinthe scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.

1-22. (canceled)
 23. A device comprising: an antenna structureconfigured to transmit or receive a wireless local area network (WLAN)electrical signal and a near field communication (NFC) electricalsignal; an NFC circuit configured to process the NFC electrical signal,wherein the NFC circuit is configured to utilize a loop antenna of theantenna structure to transmit or receive the NFC electrical signalduring NFC operation; and a WLAN circuit configured to process the WLANelectrical signal, wherein the WLAN circuit is configured to use asegment of the loop antenna to transmit or receive the WLAN electricalsignal during WLAN operation.
 24. The device according to claim 23,wherein the loop antenna comprises an inductor, wherein the inductor isconfigured to act as a short circuit when transmitting or receiving anNFC signal and as an open circuit when transmitting or receiving a WLANsignal.
 25. The device according to claim 23, wherein the WLANelectrical signal is a 2.4 GHz band WLAN electrical signal or a 5.2 GHzband WLAN electrical signal.
 26. The device according to claim 23,wherein the loop antenna comprises at least one loop to transmit orreceive the NFC electrical signal during NFC operation, wherein the WLANcircuit is configured to use a segment of the at least one loop of theloop antenna to transmit or receive the WLAN electrical signal duringWLAN operation.
 27. The device according to claim 23, wherein the loopantenna comprises multiple loops to transmit or receive the NFCelectrical signal during NFC operation.
 28. The device according toclaim 23, wherein the device is configured to transmit or receive theWLAN electrical signal and the NFC electrical signal at the same time.29. The device according to claim 23, further comprising a processingcircuit.
 30. The device according to claim 23, further comprising acomputer readable storage.
 31. A portable device comprising a deviceaccording to claim
 23. 32. A device comprising: an antenna structureconfigured to transmit or receive a high frequency electrical signal anda near field communications (NFC) electrical signal; an NFC circuitconfigured to process the NFC electrical signal, wherein the NFC circuitis configured to utilize a loop antenna of the antenna structure totransmit or receive the NFC electrical signal during NFC operation; anda wireless communication circuit configured to process the highfrequency electrical signal, wherein the wireless communication circuitis configured to use a segment of the loop antenna to transmit orreceive the high frequency electrical signal during wirelesscommunication operation.
 33. The device according to claim 32, whereinthe loop antenna comprises an inductor, wherein the inductor has lowimpedance when transmitting or receiving the NFC signal and has highimpedance when transmitting or receiving the high frequency signal. 34.The device according to claim 32, wherein the high frequency electricalsignal is a 2.4 GHz band WLAN electrical signal or a 5.2 GHz band WLANelectrical signal.
 35. The device according to claim 32, wherein theloop antenna comprises at least one loop to transmit or receive the NFCelectrical signal during NFC operation, wherein the wirelesscommunication circuit is configured to use a segment of the at least oneloop of the loop antenna to transmit or receive the high frequencyelectrical signal during wireless communication operation.
 36. Thedevice according to claim 32, wherein the loop antenna comprisesmultiple loops to transmit or receive the NFC electrical signal duringNFC operation.
 37. The device according to claim 32, wherein the deviceis configured to transmit or receive the high frequency electricalsignal and the NFC electrical signal at the same time.
 38. The deviceaccording to claim 32, wherein the high frequency electrical signalcomprises a frequency higher than a frequency of the NFC electricalsignal.